Conference Call-All SWCD Directors & Employees
April 22, 2008
8:00 p.m.

SWCDs Represented (68):

Erin Pate proceeded with roll call at 8:09 p.m.

Terry Davis welcomed everyone and thanked them for taking time out of their schedule to be involved. Information that is discussed tonight should be given to everyone in the SWCD.

Terry stated an agenda had been sent out earlier today. Two items were listed on agenda – update on financial situation on statewide basis and listening session.

Financial update – there has not been any change on the funding crisis. Spoke with Steve Chard this afternoon and they have not heard anything at this time. HB 6334 –Is a house bill that was introduced by Representative Lisa Dugan’s that includes supplemental funding that would transfer money for SWCD to Secretary of State’s office. No details can be given on the intention of the move, other than trying to get us our money.
Jim Todd, Lee Bunting, Rich Nichols and Terry Davis attended a joint House and Senate hearing on April 16.  The hearing lasted about two hours. The first hour Terry testified on behalf of the SWCDs along with several other groups who receive funding through the IDOA. The second hour was devoted to questions for the bureau of the budget. Ginger Ostro’s message from Governor’s office – they are appropriating the funds that were approved by the general assembly as funding becomes available; our efforts are ongoing to get money released.  
Insurance Committee will be meeting May 5th and will hopefully be available to provide more information on the group’s insurance plan status. Three SWCDs have made the decision to lay off employees and moth ball the office until things get better.

Q – Do you see it things getting better?  
A – Yes! The biggest problem is that it is hitting us so fast. When budgets were but together, we knew the budgets would be late, but not this late. We are playing catch-up. –Terry Davis

Q – Where are SWCDs getting funds if they are not closing doors?
A – Other agencies they are working with, from state to federal to private agencies, and various programs are bringing in funds. With the inability to be able to depend on anything, SWCDs might have to look at other options to fund themselves. –Terry Davis

Q – Can there be something held so other SWCDs can learn from the ones that are generating money?
A – We plan to have several session opportunities at Summer Conference on that topic.-Terry Davis

Q – There is no guarantee that we will receive 2009 funding is there?
A – We do not know because there was money in the 2008 state budget and we still don’t have it.-Terry Davis

Q - Where do we lie in the priority order to receive funding from the state?
A –We are in the discretionary funding. So the Governor has ultimately the last call. I think it was asked at the hearing and Ginger Ostro stated that information is not being shared.-Terry Davis

Q – How can we be put into Illinois Law not be funded.
A –To the best of my knowledge we were in the governor’s original budget and since then it has been approved by everyone, but they say the cash is not there to release funding. We are not the only ones in this boat. No money has been given to groups in Ag section.-Terry Davis

Q – We get along very well with NRCS staff; how much involvement has NRCS provided to the Governor to stress the amount of federal money that comes into the state?
A –All federal partners have helped tell our story, but they can’t dictate to a state agency since they are a federal agency. They are trying – there was an e-mail set out on CRP agreements to all SWCDs to help. NRCS has their own challenges since the Farm Bill has not passed and no budget is available. –Terry Davis

Q – Edgar Co. stated NRCS contribution agreements have helped them stay open for the last several years, and she is thankful for them, but has the national NRCS office offered any help?
A – No –Terry Davis

Q – Will this cause a downside on the Governor for the 2009 funding?
A – I think you are seeing this already. The problem now is the Governor and the Speaker of the House has different agendas. They are bouncing things off each other, and unfortunately we are the pawn being bounced back and forth. And going into 2009 Terry does not see anything different. You can hear the frustration in legislators voices when talking to them. No one has ever had to deal with this situation.-Terry Davis

Q – Who decides priority list as far as who gets funded first when revenues are available?
A – Governor and Office of Management and Budget. When the first part was released, he stated that it could be up to 60 days to receive payment, but instead it came in three days. Mike Hoffmann and other legislators got money released because these operations dollars are salaries for employees therefore they were released sooner because salaries are the number one priority when releasing funding. It is funny how the rest of the money can’t be released and that is the point that is trying to be made. We get mixed signals back when points are being made. –Terry Davis

Terry Davis asked the participants if their districts had come up with a plan in regards to the financial situation they are facing. Washington Co. received today a resignation from their RC, and have no AC, and they can hold on until September. Gallatin Co. cut employees hours back to 30 hours and will last until about June.

Q – What is next plan of action?  
A – We are continuing with plan A with full out asking the Governor to honor the budget that was passed last fall. The state always waits until the last minute. Hopefully the Dugan bill will help.-Terry Davis

Q – What does the Dugan bill state?
A – It states to funnel the SWCD grant money through Secretary of State’s office rather than IDOA.-Terry Davis

Q – How much more aggressive do we get?
A –we can get very aggressive but the potential becomes greater in not receiving money.-Terry Davis

Q – House Bill 6334 is still in Rules. What do you think?
A – It will try to be moved along.-Terry Davis

Q – Is there an easier way through Secretary of State?
A – We are not sure. Steve Chard was even unaware the bill even existed.-Terry Davis

Q – How many SWCDs are going to try to pass tax referendums?
A – We are unaware of any SWCD that is doing this. Know that discussion has been held, but no action has been taken. –Terry Davis

Q – Can SWCDs do this taxing on their own?
A – The general assembly would have to allow us to do this, some SWCDs tax for liability insurance. Change in state law would have to occur. –Terry Davis

Q – Has anyone gone to Governor with solutions to revenue problem?
A – The Governor’s office asked IDOA to ask us to find a way to fund ourselves and bring ideas back to them to look at. Ideas have been surfaced and part of Summer Conference will be devoted to this. But this would not be a solution to our problem now; it would take several years for this to make something.-Terry Davis

Q – Those districts that will close their doors, they have received no guidance. Is anyone working on putting anything together?
A – We are trying to get some guidance.  I have personally spoke to IDOA Regional Representatives and asked them to forward their ideas to IDOA and get the information back out statewide. Steve Chard was working on ideas that have come back from IDOA Regional Representatives and will send them to Jared Thornley for his review. IDOA has never been in this situation.-Terry Davis

Steve Chard stated the IDOA is in the process of getting some guidelines put together currently.

Terry Davis stated that Rich Nichols is trying to address insurance issues through some guidelines he is forming.

Terry Davis stated that IDOA is looking into the possibility of move funds around to fund insurance for SWCD employees. This is priority number one.

A request was made get updates to everyone as of office closures when they are announced.

Q – Can another conference call such as this be done in the day.
A – Because it is planting season the call seemed to be better planned in the evening for those who are out in the field during daylight.-Terry Davis.